*If you would like to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications when new posts are made please email Dr. Clark Anderson at clark@andersontours.com
UPDATES ON THE WAR – Day 26th (Nov 1st):
*We are on Day 26 of the conflict and rocket fire and suffering continues on both sides. We have created categories to make our summaries easier to read and understand.
IN THE SOUTH (GAZA):
- The movement of IDF forces into the northern Gaza Strip was more rapid than expected. Four days after the start of the ground maneuver, it is already escalating into a full-blown war, between IDF large infantry and armored forces, and the Hamas defensive array, which includes several concentric circles surrounding the organization’s security center in downtown Gaza. There is tough, persistent fighting deep in urban areas, much of them devastated in the air force’s preliminary bombings.
- The commander of Division 162 of the Israeli army, Brig. Gen. Itzik Cohen, stated that “the division’s forces are deep in the Gaza Strip, at the gates of Gaza City.” Cohen added that “in the last five days we have dismantled many Hamas capabilities [and] attacked strategic installations.”
- The IDF attacked terrorists entrenched in a building in Jabalya refugee camp, high number of civilian casualties reported; more than 11,000 targets have been struck since the beginning of the war.
- Israeli warships deployed in Red Sea as reinforcements after long-range missile, drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthis (See more on Houthi below)
- Palestinian communications company: Internet and cell connection in Gaza is being restored
- At least 320 foreign passport holders crossed on Wednesday to Egypt from Gaza in a first batch of evacuations from the besieged enclave, three Egyptian security sources and a Palestinian official said. Up to 500 expected to cross in the next few days.
- According to United Nations figures, an average of 27,000 people crossed the border each month as of July this year. The border was open for 138 days and closed for 74 this year until that month. (Closures often depend on the security and political situation on the ground. While Israel has no direct control over the crossing, Egypt’s closures often coincide with Israel’s own tightening of restrictions on Gaza).
IN THE NORTH (LEBANON):
- Attacks from Lebanon (Hezbollah) on the north border of Israel continue: An anti-tank missile was launched from Lebanon at an army post, the IDF retaliates with artillery fire and mortars.
- Sirens sound in moshav Shtula in Israel’s north
IN THE CENTER:
- Rocket sirens were activated in dozens of cities across central Israel, including Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Holon, Rishon Letzion, Givatayim, Nes Tziona and more.
WEST BANK:
- The Israeli army estimates that some 3,000 terrorists from Hamas’ military wing infiltrated Israel through dozens of points along the border fence as well as by air and sea in the deadly October 7 assault.
- Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Wednesday that tax revenue should be transferred to the Palestinian Authority to help prevent terrorism, adding that “Israel has an interest in stability in the West Bank.” Israeli defense minister: Funds should be immediately transferred to the Palestinian Authority to help prevent terrorism
- At least 123 Palestinians, including 34 children, have been killed in the West Bank since October 7, according to the UN’s humanitarian office.
- Nearly 1,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced, OHCA added, including at least 98 Palestinian households comprising over 800 people driven out of 15 Bedouin communities in Area C.
- Another 121 Palestinians were displaced following home demolitions on grounds of what OCHA deems “lack of Israeli-issued building permits or as a punitive measure.”
NEGOTIATIONS – HOSTAGE RELEASE:
- 240 hostages held in Gaza, 40 remain missing
- At least 320 foreign passport holders crossed on Wednesday to Egypt from Gaza in a first batch of evacuations from the besieged enclave, three Egyptian security sources and a Palestinian official said. Up to 500 expected to cross in the next few days.
- Hamas’ political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, said he had informed mediators in the negotiations over release of the hostages that a ceasefire was necessary for a prisoner exchange deal.
GLOBAL RESPONSE & INVOLVEMENT:
- UN relief chief Griffiths: “Failure to act now will have consequences far beyond the region, this is a global crisis”
- China has removed Israel from their digital maps but Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and other neighboring states remain
- China supports convening a broad and authoritative international peace conference as soon as possible to push the Palestinian issue back towards a “two-state solution,” Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday.
- Iran’s foreign minister in Ankara: ‘If the attacks continue in Gaza, the consequences will be harsh’
- Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on Muslim states to cease oil and food exports to Israel, demanding an end to its bombardment of the Gaza Strip, state media reported.
- S. Counselor of the Department of State Derek Chollet is set to travel to Israel on Wednesday “to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to stand in solidarity with Israel and support its right to defend itself, consistent with international humanitarian law,” according to the State Department.
- According to the statement, Chollet “will engage with partners and allies to continue our work to prevent the conflict from spreading to other parts of the region, help secure the release of all hostages, including U.S. citizens, and discuss efforts to assist U.S. citizens while ensuring the protection of civilians and the expanded provision of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.“
- The Congressional Budget Office reported that the House Republican proposal to fund $14.3 billion in emergency aid to Israel via cuts to the IRS would add $12.5 billion to the U.S. deficit over the next decade, while decreasing revenue by $26.7 billion.
- “The match lit in Yemen may force Saudi Arabia and the U.S. to take a stance” – Houthis is a military group whose aim is to govern all of Yemen, and also external anti-imperialist movements against the United States, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. Their slogan is “God is the greatest; death to America; death to Israel; curse the Jews; victory to Islam”
SUMMARY OF LOSSES & RESPONSES:
- At least 8,796 Palestinians, including 3,648 children, have been killed in Israeli strikes since Oct. 7, the health ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza said on Wednesday.
- At least 1,300 civilians and soldiers killed in Hamas massacres preparing for a ground incursion
- Since the beginning of the war, about 1,180 wanted persons have been arrested in the West Bank, about 740 of them are Hamas members.
- 6,704 Palestinians convicted of or suspected of committing security offenses are currently imprisoned in Israel, 1,512 of whom were imprisoned over the last month, according to the Israel Prison Service which provided the information to the Center for the Defense of the Individual.
- 2,070 of those imprisoned are detained without trial and 105 of them are residents of Gaza identified as illegal combatants who took part in hostilities against the State of Israel, and are not entitled to the status of prisoners of war under international humanitarian law.
- 16 Israeli soldiers killed Tuesday in Gaza ground op
- Israeli airstrike kills Ibrahim Biari, commander of Hamas’ Jabalya Brigade and one of the leaders of October 7 massacre
- 33 journalists have been killed as of November 1, with eight wounded and nine missing or detained. (More journalists have been killed covering the Israel-Hamas war since October 7 than any other global conflict since at least 1992, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists).
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
What should Israel do in order to illuminate the Hamas threat of repeated attacks? What would you recommend Israel’s approach should be right now?
What should Hamas do to get needed support and help? (They are land-locked and restricted and are experiencing extreme economic conditions)
*We know the questions are MANY and the issues deep and complex. We hope the information shared on this blog will help you process all the information and issues.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT / PROPHETIC QUOTES:
Ironically…criticisms made by either side about the other could easily be flipped and also apply to the opposing party. Both are guilty of many of the same criticisms. It is difficult to take a firm stand for either side as both have crimes against humanity!
What is the best solution and resolution?
The following is a snippet from a talk given in Oct 2023 by the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Russell M. Nelson who is esteemed by his followers as a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator:
“Because of Jesus Christ’s infinite Atonement, our Heavenly Father’s plan is a perfect plan! An understanding of God’s fabulous plan takes the mystery out of life and the uncertainty out of our future. It allows each of us to choose how we will live here on earth and where we will live forever. The baseless notion that we should “eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us”6 is one of the most absurd lies in the universe.” (“Think Celestial!” By President Russell M. Nelson, Oct 2023)
*If you would like to gain more understanding of the history of this country and conflict from a scriptural standpoint we recommend you take our Holy Land Scripture Course created to accompany our Virtual Tour of the Holy Land. Link below:
